Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-10-07
A CAPTAINS FAITH.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. GEO.
p. HAYES, D. D., IL. D.

Golden Text Matt. viii, $40.
V. s. A centurion at Capernaum-A
very large number of the lessons of this quar-
ter show events or utterances in the vicinity
of Capernaum which was during all this
time Christ's home. A centurion in the Ro-
man army corresponded to captain in ours
| His command was 100 men.
VS.. 90. The disease-Palsy is a disease
which consists of loss of power over the mus
cles, and may be either complete, leaving the
body helpless, or partial leaving the muscles
! active but uncomfortable. There are some
reasons for believing this case was of the
! latter kind, and probably what is now known
! as st. Nitus' dance. If so, then the "griev-
ousy tormented" will be appreciated by
every one that has seen a case of this disease.
Christ's reply ". . was quick answer to
the centurion's petition for help, and a full
| justification of the faith that led him to seek
Chrst's aid v s shows the conception the
centurion had of Christ's power over disease
| This case of the centurion was among the
very earliest of Christ's manifestations Of his
power to do signs at a distance. The centu-
rion's faith was shown in saying that the Sa-
viour's coming was not needed.
vs. 10, II. The Gentiles-No doubt this
centurion was a Gentle, and this is the first
manifestation of the Gentle faith that was to
be so largely called forth after the day of
Pentecost. V. II has been abundantly full
filed as a prophecy in the history Of the
church
The expression "shall sit down with Abra-
ham, aud Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom
of heaven" is the Oriental method of express
ing a thorough home welcome. The whole
transaction becomes type of the future
spread of his spell among the Gentiles, and
this centurion is the first fruit of that ingath-
ering which has been accomplished in the
Gentle world.
VS.. IL, - Reiection-The alternative of
rejection is set forth in V. u. The Gentiles
of the east and west are set in contrast with
the children of the kingdom, and the race is
represented by one or the other of these. So
also is each individual person. Those who
will not accept Christ are to be cast out into
the outer darkness. Oriental feasts we're at
night, with the house brilliantly lighted. The
outer darkness is the exclusion from that
light and plenty and comfort which reign
within.
The Saviour now put the centurion's faith
and the faith of the people to another test.
He said, "Go thy way; and as thou hast be-
leved, so be it unto thee The conduct of
each one was now to show how far ne be-
lieved in the Savour's word. If the CEN
turion's faith was strong as he said, he
would go home confident of the result.
Note l. Military officers are generally sup
posed to be a heartless class. Here s one
who had a tender regard for those unde' him.
If employers and people of influence would
have similar care for those within their
power, the relations of affection would Dc as
close as they are here.
lie RI w In
taught, who have had Christian training
from their youth, will illustrate V. IL to their
eternal disgrace and pain. And many chl-
dren of heather and vicious parents, to whm
this lesson will be taught in our missDn
schools III this and other lands will illustrate
V. !, to their everlasting honor and joy.
SUGGESTIVE APPLICATIONS.
V. g. | am not worthy that thou shouldest
come under my roof-People of authority
and of wealth in these days approach the
church. if they approach it at ALL as if their
presence was n favor. They seem to have a
lurking idea that they are to he praised by a
minister for condescendng to attend when he
preaches. Whether they actually go 50 far
in thought as To suppose tsat they are con-
ferrng a favor upon the Almighty by using
part of the Sabbath in riding to church,
and tanning themselves with an Indifferent
attention upon all the services, may be a
question they would not like to answer to
themselves. 1t becomes a kind of constltu-
tional habit with them to patronize every
thing They have patronzng air toward
all who are socially on a different level from
Themselves, and they carry this same air into
religion and church work. The centurion
though man of position and representa-
tive of Roman authority, not only possessed
more sense but more humility. He recog-
nized the great favor he was seeking; he also
l. had some proper appreciation of the dignity
, and the power of the person from whom he
!, asked so great a favor He did not belittlt
himself, but rather showed true greatness il
his humility. There is a useful lesson here
for all.
V. - As thou hast believed, so be it dom
unto thee-If the prayers of ordinary Chris
tians were answered in this way now, about
how many do you think would receive what
they ask forl About how large proportion
. of those who profess regularly and daily 70
! ask blessings of the Lord really and truly
. have faith to believe that they will receive
exactly what they ask fora If the answer in
= every case were to be, according to thy
faith so be it done unto thee, how mucE
would they really getl Now, the fact is thai
the answer which Jesus made on earth to TIN
centurion is bat an indication of the answer
which he usually makes to all who seek him
The Christian gets not what he asks for blu
according to the faith with which he asks.
HINTS FOR PRIMARY CLASSES
The place-Capernaum, at the northwest
ern end of the sea of Galilee, where Jesu
often went His second miracle was per
formed on the son of a nobleman who live
In Capernaum. 1t was military post an
the home of Simon Peter, where Jesus cure
Peters wife. 1t was the home or headquar
tiers to which Jesus often returned.
The persons-The centurion or captain o
one hundred men, Roman military officer
his servant, who was i'll; and Jesus Christ
the great Physician.
The story-The fame Of Jesus had becom
so great that many people focked to hea
him and to be healed of various disease
whenever he entered a city. Soon afte
coming to Capernaum this time, the Roma
officer came to him to beg that he would he,
his servant, who was very ill. Servants wei
% tba fap w in Jaxs on